Children and make up

HopAPot · 2023-10-29T19:44:19+00:00

My 6 year old would like “make up” for Christmas. Looking at children’s make up it’s all a bit… Pat Butcher. Would I be unreasonable to buy her some adult makeup, just a neutral shimmer powder, a sparkly lip gloss and a neutral/sparkly eye shadow pallet, essentially just neutral shimmery things. Nothing fancy, just some budget stuff, but I’m loathe to find her plastered in neon pink and blue when we need to leave the house! For context she has been obsessed with make up since she was tiny (I do wear it but I’m a dyed in the wool Tomboy so it’s not like I spend all day doing my hair/make up/nails etc)

WhateverMate · 29/10/2023 19:45

Go for it.

Will she be leaving the house in it though, or will it just be for dressing up?

Pooooochi · 29/10/2023 19:47

Gosh I'd be the opposite, I'd only want garish, dress up style makeup. The whole point being its only appropriate for a child that age to have makeup for play/creativity, not in some bid to look pretty. I'd want it treated like face paint, not as a tool for learning how to properly use makeup.

I'd never let it be worn outside the house unless part of dress up eg like face paint at a party.

PinkPlantCase · 29/10/2023 19:49

I think you’ve got the right idea OP with neutral shimmery stuff. Body glitter might be another way to go.

Personally though I probably just wouldn’t get it. 6 is very young.

yummyscummymummy01 · 29/10/2023 19:50

My 5 year old loves dressing up. Those little palettes from Claires are actually nearly transparent and actually leave a little shimmer and almost immediately wear off.

Original poster

HopAPot · 29/10/2023 19:50

Definitely more on the side of dressing up

OP posts:

Marblessolveeverything · 29/10/2023 19:50

I would be cautious about her skin. I would assume the child specific has less staying power due to less harsh chemicals?

fluffypotatoes · 29/10/2023 19:50

No I wouldn't get anything like that at this age. If anything the make up needs to be almost like face paint style

SundayAnon · 29/10/2023 19:50

I agree with @Pooooochi DD (7) has adult make up, but it's the garish, bright, fun type.

She's actually pretty good at applying it, ahe quite arty, and loves that type of thing. But we have a strict "only in the house" policy.

Thesearmsofmine · 29/10/2023 19:50

Surely at that age the whole point is that it’s garish and bright, that’s why they like it?

Comedycook · 29/10/2023 19:52

No.

I'd buy her kids make up and one of those styling heads for her to use it on.

yummyscummymummy01 · 29/10/2023 19:53

I second the only in the house policy, although to warn you I constantly find her leaving trying to leave the house for shiny than she ought to be 😂

AuntieStella · 29/10/2023 19:55

I made an early parenting policy decision never to get wound up about anything that washes off

I'd go for glittery stuff (so it's more "dress up" than learning make up IYSWIM)

DappledThings · 29/10/2023 19:55

Pooooochi · 29/10/2023 19:47

Gosh I'd be the opposite, I'd only want garish, dress up style makeup. The whole point being its only appropriate for a child that age to have makeup for play/creativity, not in some bid to look pretty. I'd want it treated like face paint, not as a tool for learning how to properly use makeup.

I'd never let it be worn outside the house unless part of dress up eg like face paint at a party.

Yes, totally agree. DD is 5 and so far more interested in jewellery than make up. She would probably like some to play with but if she does ask it will definitely be of the clearly play type I'll allow her, nothing that looks remotely like actual make up.

CaptainMyCaptain · 29/10/2023 19:55

Pooooochi · 29/10/2023 19:47

Gosh I'd be the opposite, I'd only want garish, dress up style makeup. The whole point being its only appropriate for a child that age to have makeup for play/creativity, not in some bid to look pretty. I'd want it treated like face paint, not as a tool for learning how to properly use makeup.

I'd never let it be worn outside the house unless part of dress up eg like face paint at a party.

This.

Original poster

HopAPot · 29/10/2023 19:55

@Comedycook the styling head is a great idea!

Im glad I asked, I just don’t know the right answer, having boys prior to this it’s not been something I’ve navigated before!

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OnlyFoolsnMothers · 29/10/2023 19:56

Pooooochi · 29/10/2023 19:47

Gosh I'd be the opposite, I'd only want garish, dress up style makeup. The whole point being its only appropriate for a child that age to have makeup for play/creativity, not in some bid to look pretty. I'd want it treated like face paint, not as a tool for learning how to properly use makeup.

I'd never let it be worn outside the house unless part of dress up eg like face paint at a party.

Totally agree with this- my 6 yr old goes on and on about make up, no idea why I’m so ungirly!
I would rather she wear garish pink so people know it’s her choice and not me putting actual make up on my young child.

Precipice · 29/10/2023 19:57

YABU to buy a small child make-up at all.

Screamingabdabz · 29/10/2023 19:57

I used to buy my dd’s Boots ‘natural collection’ (don’t know if it still exists!) - a few 99p bits. Very pale pastel colours. Nothing glittery, garish or skin flaying.

theduchessofspork · 29/10/2023 19:59

Pooooochi · 29/10/2023 19:47

Gosh I'd be the opposite, I'd only want garish, dress up style makeup. The whole point being its only appropriate for a child that age to have makeup for play/creativity, not in some bid to look pretty. I'd want it treated like face paint, not as a tool for learning how to properly use makeup.

I'd never let it be worn outside the house unless part of dress up eg like face paint at a party.

Yes this -

WrongSwanson · 29/10/2023 20:00

My daughter has used make up for musical theatre shows since she was in year R. She mucks around occasionally with it outside shows and has tremendous fun giving me or her brothers "makeovers". It's definitely "in the house only" but I see no issue with it being naturalish (shimmery) or bright and garish.

She also knows she's beautiful just as she is, and often goes to parties in jeans and a t shirt . She loves rock climbing and football and is often swinging from trees covered in mud.

Better for them to have some make up than do what I did at 6 - give my younger sister a "make over" with permanent markers...

StarDolphins · 29/10/2023 20:02

From nearly 6 I got my DD this type, mainly from B&M’s, they do palettes that wash off really easily. I found the ‘kids’ stuff stained everything.

Original poster

HopAPot · 29/10/2023 20:03

Does anyone remember Avon Tinkerbell make up on the late 80’s? I’ve had a flashback of my mum getting me some, now questioning if that’s why I’m a Tomboy 🤣

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CharlieCoCo · 29/10/2023 20:04

I would have thought at 6 it's the pink snd blues she is after, not neutral colours. You know your kid though and if it makes her happy and you are fine with it, get her proper make up, but make sure you do know what she means by wanting make up, colour or to look like mummy.

Sickofatrocity · 29/10/2023 20:06

I wouldn't. Even children's face paint has lead in it, even in Europe, and adult make up is still full of PFAS forever chemicals.

TolkiensFallow · 29/10/2023 20:14

My 6 year old is the same. The problem with “kids” make up is that it’s more likely to upset sensitive skin - so better going for adults